Display device

ABSTRACT

A display device includes: a first base member configured to be folded or unfolded along a folding axis and including a display area including a first display area disposed on one side of the folding axis, a second display area disposed on another side of the folding axis, and a third display area through which the folding axis passes; and a plurality of first sensing electrodes and a plurality of second sensing electrodes disposed in each of the first display area, the second display area, and the third display area on the first base member. Each of the plurality of first sensing electrodes and each of the plurality of second sensing electrodes are spaced apart from each other based on the folding axis interposed therebetween.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from and the benefit of Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2020-0038841, filed on Mar. 31, 2020, which is herebyincorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND Field

Exemplary implementations of the invention relate generally to a displaydevice and more specifically, to a display device having a touch sensorin a foldable area.

Discussion of the Background

With the development of an information society, demands for displaydevices for displaying images have increased in various technicalfields. For example, display devices are applied to various electronicproducts such as smart phones, digital cameras, notebook computers,navigators, and smart televisions. A display device may be a flat paneldisplay device such as a liquid crystal display device, a field emissiondisplay device, or a light emitting display device. Since the lightemitting display device, among flat panel display devices, includeslight emitting elements by which each of the pixels in a display panelemits light by itself, it may display an image without a backlight unitfor providing light to the display panel.

Recently, a touch sensing unit recognizing a touch input has been widelyused as an input device of a display device in the fields of smartphones or tablet PCs. The touch sensing unit determines a user's touchinput, and calculates the corresponding position as touch inputcoordinates. The touch sensing unit may include first touch electrodesand second touch electrodes. In this case, unnecessary electricalcoupling may occur between the first touch electrodes and the secondtouch electrodes, and thus the sensitivity of the touch sensing unit maybe deteriorated or the driving of the touch sensing unit may beimpossible.

The above information disclosed in this Background section is only forunderstanding of the background of the inventive concepts, and,therefore, it may contain information that does not constitute priorart.

SUMMARY

Applicant realized that the electrical interference between drivingelectrodes and sensing electrodes of a touch sensor of a display devicemay easily occur when the display device is folded or unfolded.

Display devices constructed according to the principles of exemplaryimplementations of the invention are capable of preventing theelectrical interference between the driving electrodes and the sensingelectrodes of the touch sensor, which are arranged on both sides of thefolding axis, and improving the touch sensitivity of the touch sensor byproviding some driving electrodes disposed at one side of a folding axisdriven by a first touch driver, other driving electrodes disposed at theother side of the folding axis driven by a second touch driver, andmetal lines between the some driving electrodes and the other drivingelectrodes.

In addition, display devices constructed according to the principles ofexemplary implementations of the invention are capable of preventing theinterference between a plurality of driving electrodes and a pluralityof sensing electrodes arranged in a foldable area and improving touchsensitivity.

Additional features of the inventive concepts will be set forth in thedescription which follows, and in part will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the inventive concepts.

According to one or more implementations of the invention, a displaydevice includes: a first base member configured to be folded or unfoldedalong a folding axis and including a display area including a firstdisplay area disposed on one side of the folding axis, a second displayarea disposed on another side of the folding axis, and a third displayarea through which the folding axis passes; and a plurality of firstsensing electrodes and a plurality of second sensing electrodes disposedin each of the first display area, the second display area, and thethird display area on the first base member, wherein each of theplurality of first sensing electrodes and each of the plurality ofsecond sensing electrodes are spaced apart from each other based on thefolding axis interposed therebetween.

The first base member may further include: a first pad unit disposed atone side of the first base member and connected to each of the pluralityof first sensing electrodes and each of the plurality of second sensingelectrodes arranged on one side of the folding axis; and a second padunit disposed at another side of the first base member and connected toeach of the plurality of first sensing electrodes and each of theplurality of second sensing electrodes arranged on another side of thefolding axis.

The display device may further include: a first touch driver connectedto the first pad unit to drive the plurality of first sensing electrodesand the plurality of second sensing electrodes connected to the firstpad unit; and a second touch driver connected to the second pad unit todrive the plurality of first sensing electrodes and the plurality ofsecond sensing electrodes connected to the second pad unit.

The plurality of first sensing electrodes may be spaced apart from eachother in a first direction and a second direction substantiallyperpendicular to the first direction, and the plurality of secondsensing electrodes may extend in the first direction and may be spacedapart from each other in the second direction.

The display device may further include: a connection electrode disposedin a different layer from the plurality of first sensing electrodes andthe plurality of second sensing electrodes and connecting the pluralityof first sensing electrodes spaced apart from each other in the seconddirection.

The display device may further include: a first driving line connectingthe plurality of first sensing electrodes disposed at one end of thedisplay area to the first pad unit; a second driving line connecting theplurality of first sensing electrodes disposed at another end of thedisplay area to the second pad unit; a first sensing line disposed atanother end adjacent to the one end of the display area and connectingthe plurality of second sensing electrodes disposed on the one side ofthe folding axis to the first pad unit; and a second sensing linedisposed at another end adjacent to the another end of the display areaand connecting the plurality of second sensing electrodes disposed onthe another side of the folding axis to the second pad unit.

The third display area may further include a metal line disposed betweenthe plurality of first sensing electrodes connected to the first drivingline and the plurality of first sensing electrodes connected to thesecond driving line.

The metal line may be grounded through a ground pad unit adjacent to thefirst pad unit.

A facing area of the plurality of first sensing electrodes spaced apartfrom each other and adjacent to the folding axis interposed therebetweenmay be larger than a facing area of the plurality of second sensingelectrodes spaced apart from each other and adjacent to the folding axisinterposed therebetween.

The plurality of second sensing electrodes may include: a second-firstsensing electrode disposed on the one side of the folding axis andclosest to the folding axis; a second-second sensing electrode disposedat one side of the second-first sensing electrode; and a second-thirdsensing electrode disposed on the another side of the folding axis andclosest to the folding axis, wherein a distance between the second-firstsensing electrode and the second-second sensing electrode may besubstantially equal to a distance between the second-first sensingelectrode and the second-third sensing electrode.

The plurality of first sensing electrodes may extend in a firstdirection and may be spaced apart from each other in a second directionsubstantially perpendicular to the first direction, and the plurality ofsecond sensing electrodes may be spaced apart from each other in thefirst direction and the second direction.

The display device may further include: a connection electrode disposedin a different layer from the plurality of first sensing electrodes andthe plurality of second sensing electrodes and connecting the pluralityof second sensing electrodes spaced apart from each other in the seconddirection.

The display device may further include: a first sensing line connectingthe plurality of second sensing electrodes disposed at one end of thedisplay area to the first pad unit; a second sensing line connecting theplurality of second sensing electrodes disposed at another end of thedisplay area to the second pad unit; a first driving line disposed atanother end adjacent to the one end of the display area and connectingthe plurality of first sensing electrodes disposed on the one side ofthe folding axis to the first pad unit; and a second driving linedisposed at another end adjacent to the another end of the display areaand connecting the plurality of first sensing electrodes disposed on theanother side of the folding axis to the second pad unit.

A facing area of the plurality of second sensing electrodes spaced apartfrom each other and adjacent to the folding axis interposed therebetweenmay be larger than a facing area of the plurality of first sensingelectrodes spaced apart from each other and adjacent to the folding axisinterposed therebetween.

The plurality of first sensing electrodes may include: a first drivingelectrode disposed on the one side of the folding axis and closest tothe folding axis; a second driving electrode disposed at one side of thefirst driving electrode; and a third driving electrode disposed on theanother side of the folding axis and closest to the folding axis,wherein a distance between the first driving electrode and the seconddriving electrode may be substantially equal to a distance between thefirst driving electrode and the third driving electrode.

The display device may further include: a display layer including aplurality of pixels arranged in the display area on the first basemember; and a sensing electrode layer including the plurality of firstsensing electrodes and the plurality of second sensing electrodes on thedisplay layer.

The display device may further include: a circuit board connected to thefirst pad unit disposed at the one side of the first base member; afirst touch driver disposed on the circuit board and connected to thefirst pad unit; a flexible film connected to the second pad unitdisposed at the another side of the first base member; and a secondtouch driver disposed on the flexible film and connected to the secondpad unit.

The display device may further include: a display layer including aplurality of pixels arranged in the display area on the first basemember; a second base member covering the display layer; an adhesivemember disposed at edges of the first base member and the second basemember to surround the display layer; and a sensing electrode layerincluding the plurality of first sensing electrodes and the plurality ofsecond sensing electrodes on the second base member.

The display device may further include: a circuit board connected to thefirst pad unit disposed at the one side of the first base member; afirst touch driver disposed on the circuit board and connected to thefirst pad unit; a flexible film connected to the second pad unitdisposed at one side of the second base member; and a second touchdriver disposed on the flexible film and connected to the second padunit.

The display device may further include: a dummy pattern surrounded bythe plurality of first sensing electrodes or the plurality of secondsensing electrodes and insulated from the plurality of first sensingelectrodes and the plurality of second sensing electrodes.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and areintended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, andtogether with the description serve to explain the inventive concepts.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of a display device constructedaccording to the principles of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of thedisplay device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another embodiment of thedisplay device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an embodiment of a sensing electrode layer ofthe display device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a third display area of the display device ofFIG. 1 illustrating the sensing electrode layer of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of area Al of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of area A2 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of an embodiment of a display layer and a sensingelectrode layer of the display device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I′ of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of another embodiment of the sensing electrodelayer of the display device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the third display area of the display deviceof FIG. 1 illustrating the sensing electrode layer of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of area A3 in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of area A4 in FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of another embodiment of the display layer andthe sensing electrode layer of the display device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line of FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of various embodiments or implementations of theinvention. As used herein “embodiments” and “implementations” areinterchangeable words that are non-limiting examples of devices ormethods employing one or more of the inventive concepts disclosedherein. It is apparent, however, that various embodiments may bepracticed without these specific details or with one or more equivalentarrangements. In other instances, well-known structures and devices areshown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuringvarious embodiments. Further, various embodiments may be different, butdo not have to be exclusive. For example, specific shapes,configurations, and characteristics of an embodiment may be used orimplemented in another embodiment without departing from the inventiveconcepts.

Unless otherwise specified, the illustrated embodiments are to beunderstood as providing exemplary features of varying detail of someways in which the inventive concepts may be implemented in practice.Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the features, components,modules, layers, films, panels, regions, and/or aspects, etc.(hereinafter individually or collectively referred to as “elements”), ofthe various embodiments may be otherwise combined, separated,interchanged, and/or rearranged without departing from the inventiveconcepts.

The use of cross-hatching and/or shading in the accompanying drawings isgenerally provided to clarify boundaries between adjacent elements. Assuch, neither the presence nor the absence of cross-hatching or shadingconveys or indicates any preference or requirement for particularmaterials, material properties, dimensions, proportions, commonalitiesbetween illustrated elements, and/or any other characteristic,attribute, property, etc., of the elements, unless specified. Further,in the accompanying drawings, the size and relative sizes of elementsmay be exaggerated for clarity and/or descriptive purposes. When anembodiment may be implemented differently, a specific process order maybe performed differently from the described order. For example, twoconsecutively described processes may be performed substantially at thesame time or performed in an order opposite to the described order.Also, like reference numerals denote like elements.

When an element, such as a layer, is referred to as being “on,”“connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may bedirectly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer orintervening elements or layers may be present. When, however, an elementor layer is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,”or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are nointervening elements or layers present. To this end, the term“connected” may refer to physical, electrical, and/or fluid connection,with or without intervening elements. Further, the DR1-axis, theDR2-axis, and the DR3-axis are not limited to three axes of arectangular coordinate system, such as the x, y, and z-axes, and may beinterpreted in a broader sense. For example, the DR1-axis, the DR2-axis,and the DR3-axis may be perpendicular to one another, or may representdifferent directions that are not perpendicular to one another. For thepurposes of this disclosure, “at least one of X, Y, and Z” and “at leastone selected from the group consisting of X, Y, and Z” may be construedas X only, Y only, Z only, or any combination of two or more of X, Y,and Z, such as, for instance, XYZ, XYY, YZ, and ZZ. As used herein, theterm “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items.

Although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein todescribe various types of elements, these elements should not be limitedby these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element fromanother element. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed asecond element without departing from the teachings of the disclosure.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “under,” “lower,”“above,” “upper,” “over,” “higher,” “side” (e.g., as in “sidewall”), andthe like, may be used herein for descriptive purposes, and, thereby, todescribe one elements relationship to another element(s) as illustratedin the drawings. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompassdifferent orientations of an apparatus in use, operation, and/ormanufacture in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. Forexample, if the apparatus in the drawings is turned over, elementsdescribed as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would thenbe oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplaryterm “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below.Furthermore, the apparatus may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90degrees or at other orientations), and, as such, the spatially relativedescriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, thesingular forms, “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Moreover,the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,”when used in this specification, specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/orgroups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one ormore other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components,and/or groups thereof. It is also noted that, as used herein, the terms“substantially,” “about,” and other similar terms, are used as terms ofapproximation and not as terms of degree, and, as such, are utilized toaccount for inherent deviations in measured, calculated, and/or providedvalues that would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Various embodiments are described herein with reference to sectionaland/or exploded illustrations that are schematic illustrations ofidealized embodiments and/or intermediate structures. As such,variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, forexample, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to beexpected. Thus, embodiments disclosed herein should not necessarily beconstrued as limited to the particular illustrated shapes of regions,but are to include deviations in shapes that result from, for instance,manufacturing. In this manner, regions illustrated in the drawings maybe schematic in nature and the shapes of these regions may not reflectactual shapes of regions of a device and, as such, are not necessarilyintended to be limiting.

As is customary in the field, some embodiments are described andillustrated in the accompanying drawings in terms of functional blocks,units, and/or modules. Those skilled in the art will appreciate thatthese blocks, units, and/or modules are physically implemented byelectronic (or optical) circuits, such as logic circuits, discretecomponents, microprocessors, hard-wired circuits, memory elements,wiring connections, and the like, which may be formed usingsemiconductor-based fabrication techniques or other manufacturingtechnologies. In the case of the blocks, units, and/or modules beingimplemented by microprocessors or other similar hardware, they may beprogrammed and controlled using software (e.g., microcode) to performvarious functions discussed herein and may optionally be driven byfirmware and/or software. It is also contemplated that each block, unit,and/or module may be implemented by dedicated hardware, or as acombination of dedicated hardware to perform some functions and aprocessor (e.g., one or more programmed microprocessors and associatedcircuitry) to perform other functions. Also, each block, unit, and/ormodule of some embodiments may be physically separated into two or moreinteracting and discrete blocks, units, and/or modules without departingfrom the scope of the inventive concepts. Further, the blocks, units,and/or modules of some embodiments may be physically combined into morecomplex blocks, units, and/or modules without departing from the scopeof the inventive concepts.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure is a part. Terms,such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should beinterpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning inthe context of the relevant art and should not be interpreted in anidealized or overly formal sense, unless expressly so defined herein.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of a display device constructedaccording to the principles of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a display device 10 may be applied to portableelectronic products such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tabletpersonal computer (tablet PC), a mobile communication terminal, anelectronic notebook, an e-book, a portable multimedia player (PMP), anavigator, or an ultra mobile PC (UMPC). For example, the display device10 may be applied to a display unit of a television, a notebook, amonitor, a billboard, or internet of things (IOT). Further, the displaydevice 10 may be applied to a wearable device such as a smart watch, awatch phone, an eyeglass display, or a head mounted display (HMD).Furthermore, the display device 10 may be applied to a centerinformation display (CID) placed in a car instrument panel, a car centerfascia or a carbon dashboard, a room mirror display for replacing a carside mirror, or a display placed on the back surface of a front seat asan entertainment for a back seat of a car.

In the following descriptions, the first direction (X-axis direction) isa direction in parallel to short sides of the display device 10 (e.g., ahorizontal/width direction of the display device 10). The seconddirection (Y-axis direction) is a direction in parallel to long sides ofthe display device 10 (e.g., a vertical/length direction of the displaydevice 10). The third direction (Z-axis direction) may be a thicknessdirection of the display device 10.

The display device 10 may have a substantially rectangular shape in aplan view. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the display device 10 mayhave a rectangular shape having short sides in the first direction(X-axis direction) and long sides in the second direction (Y-axisdirection). The corner where the short side in the first direction(X-axis direction) meets the long side in the second direction (Y-axisdirection) may be formed to have a round shape with a predeterminedcurvature or a right angle shape. The shape of the display device 10 ina plan view is not limited to a rectangular shape, and may be formed ina similar shape to another polygonal shape, circular shape, orelliptical shape.

The display device 10 includes a display panel 100, a circuit board 210,a display driver 220, a first touch driver 230, a second touch driver240, and a flexible film 250.

The display panel 100 may be a light emitting display panel including alight emitting element. For example, the display panel 100 may be anorganic light emitting display panel including an organic light emittingdiode having an organic light emitting layer, a micro LED display panelusing a micro LED, a quantum dot light emitting display panel includinga quantum dot light emitting diode having a quantum dot light emittinglayer, or an inorganic light emitting display panel including aninorganic light emitting element having an inorganic semiconductor.

For example, the display panel 100 may be a flexible display panel thatcan be easily bent, folded, or rolled due to its flexibility. Forexample, the display panel 100 may include a flexible portion havingflexibility and a rigid portion that is not easily bent due to itsrigidity. The display panel 100 may be a foldable display panel that canbe folded and unfolded, a curved display panel having a curved displaysurface, a bended display panel having an area other than the displaysurface curved, a rollable display panel that can be rolled or unfolded,or a stretchable display panel that can be stretched.

Alternatively, the display panel 100 may be a transparent display panelthat is transparently implemented such that an object or backgrounddisposed on the lower surface of the display panel 100 is visible fromthe upper surface of the display panel 100. Alternatively, the displaypanel 100 may be a reflective display panel that can reflect an objector background on the upper surface of the display panel 100.

The display panel 100 may include a main area MA and a sub-area SBAprotruding from one side of the main area MA.

The main area MA may include a display area DA in which a plurality ofpixels are arranged to display an image and a non-display area NDA whichis a peripheral area of the main area MA surrounding the display areaDA. The display area DA may correspond to most of the main area MA. Thedisplay area DA may be disposed at the center of the main area MA. Thedisplay area DA may include a plurality of light emitting areas, scanlines driving the light emitting element, data lines, and power supplylines. The display area DA may include first, second, and third displayareas DA1, DA2, and DA3.

The first display area DA1 may be disposed at one side of the displayarea DA. For example, the first display area DA1 may be disposed at thelower side of the display area DA. The first display area DA1 may bedisposed on one side of the folding axis. The first display area DA1, ascompared with the second and third display areas DA2 and DA3, may becloser to the sub-area SBA, the circuit board 210, the display driver220, or the first touch driver 230. The first display area DA1 maycorrespond to a non-foldable area, but is not limited thereto.

The second display area DA2 may be disposed at the other side of thedisplay area DA. For example, the second display area DA2 may bedisposed at the upper side of the display area DA. The second displayarea DA2 may be disposed on the other side of the folding axis. Forexample, the folding axis may be between the first and second displayareas DA1 and DA2. The second display area DA2, as compared with thefirst and third display areas DA1 and DA3, may be closer to the secondtouch driver 240 and the flexible film 250. The second display area DA2may correspond to a non-foldable area, but is not limited thereto.

The third display area DA3 may be disposed between the first displayarea DA1 and the second display areas DA2, and the folding axis may passthrough the third display area DA3. The third display area DA3 may be afoldable area, and may be folded along the folding axis. For example,the folding axis may pass through the center of the display area DA, butembodiments are not limited thereto.

The non-display area NDA may be an area outside the display area DA. Thenon-display area NDA may be defined as an edge area of the display panel100. The non-display area NDA may include a scan driver supplying scansignals to scan lines, and fan-out lines connecting the data lines andthe display driver 220.

The sub-area SBA may protrude from one side of the main area MA in thesecond direction (Y-axis direction). For example, the length of thesub-area SBA in the first direction (X-axis direction) may be smallerthan the length of the main area MA in the first direction (X-axisdirection), and the length of the sub-area SBA in the second direction(Y-axis direction) may be smaller than the length of the main area MA inthe second direction (Y-axis direction), but embodiments are not limitedthereto. The sub-area SBA may be bent, and may be disposed on the lowersurface of the display panel 100 as shown in FIG. 2. When the sub-areaSBA is bent, the sub-area SBA may overlap the main area MA in the thirddirection (Z-axis direction).

The circuit board 210 may be disposed at one side of the display panel100. The circuit board 210 may be attached to the sub-area SBAprotruding from one side of the display panel 100. The circuit board 210may be attached onto first pads of the sub-area SBA of the display panel100 through a low-resistance and high-reliability material such as ananisotropic conductive film or a self assembly anisotropic conductivepaste (SAP). The circuit board 210 may be a flexible printed circuitboard (FPCB) that can be bent, a rigid printed circuit board (RPCB) thatis hard to bend due to rigidity, or a composite printed circuit boardthat includes both the flexible printed circuit board and the rigidprinted circuit board.

The display driver 220 may be disposed on the sub-area SBA of thedisplay panel 100. The display driver 220 may receive control signalsand power voltages, and may generate and output signals and voltages fordriving the display panel 100. The display driver 220 may be formed asan integrated circuit (IC).

The first touch driver 230 may be disposed on the circuit board 210. Thefirst touch driver 230 may be formed as an integrated circuit (IC). Thefirst touch driver 230 may be connected to some sensing electrodes of asensing electrode layer of the display panel 100 through the circuitboard 210. The first touch driver 230 may be connected to sensingelectrodes arranged on one side of the folding axis. For example, thefirst touch driver 230 may be connected to sensing electrodesoverlapping a part of the third display area DA3 and the first displayarea DA1. The first touch driver 230 may supply a touch driving signalto each of some sensing electrodes, and may detect a change in mutualcapacitance of the sensing electrodes.

The first touch driver 230 may generate touch data according to a changein an electrical signal detected at each of the sensing electrodes andtransmit the touch data to a main processor. The main processor mayanalyze the touch data to calculate touch coordinates where a touch hasoccurred. The touch may include a contact touch (e.g., with directcontact with the display panel 100) and a proximity touch (e.g., withoutdirect contact with the display panel 100). The contact touch includesthat an object such as a human finger or a pen directly contacts a coverwindow disposed on the sensing electrode layer. The proximity touch,like hovering, includes that an object such as a human finger or a penis located closely away from the cover window.

The display device 10 may further include a power supply unit disposedon the circuit board 210. The power supply unit may supply a power todisplay pixels of the display panel 100 with a power and drivingvoltages to the display driver 220. For example, the power supply unitmay be integrated with the display driver 220, and in this case, thedisplay driver 220 and the power supply unit may be formed as oneintegrated circuit.

The second touch driver 240 may be disposed on the flexible film 250.The second touch driver 240 may be formed as an integrated circuit. Thesecond touch driver 240 may be connected to other sensing electrodes ofthe sensing electrode layer of the display panel 100 through theflexible film 250. The second touch driver 240 may be connected tosensing electrodes arranged on the other side of the folding axis. Forexample, the second touch driver 240 may be connected to other parts ofthe third display area DA3 and sensing electrodes overlapping the seconddisplay area DA2. The second touch driver 240 may supply a touch drivingsignal to each of other sensing electrodes, and detect a change inmutual capacitance of the sensing electrodes.

The flexible film 250 may be disposed at the other side of the displaypanel 100. The flexible film 250 may be attached onto second padsdisposed on the other side of the display panel 100 through ananisotropic conductive film or a low-resistance high-reliabilitymaterial such as a self assembly anisotropic conductive paste (SAP). Forexample, the flexible film 250 may be a flexible printed circuit boardthat can be bent or a flexible film such as a chip on film. The flexiblefilm 250 may be bent and disposed on the lower surface of the displaypanel 100. The flexible film 250 may be disposed at the upper side ofthe display panel 100, but embodiments are not limited thereto. Forexample, the flexible film 250 may be disposed at the left or right sideof the display panel 100.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of thedisplay device of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, the display panel 100 may include a first basemember SUB1, a display layer DPL, a sensing electrode layer SEL, apolarizing film PF, and a panel lower member PLM.

The first base member SUB1 may support the display panel 100. Forexample, the first base member SUB1 may include a flexible material thatcan be easily bent, folded, or rolled. The first base member SUB1 may bea flexible substrate capable of bending, folding, rolling, and the like.For example, the first base member SUB1 may include a flexible materialand a rigid material.

The display layer DPL may be disposed on the main area MA of the firstbase member SUB1. The display layer DPL may display an image throughlight emitting areas of a plurality of pixels. The display layer DPL mayinclude a thin film transistor layer including a plurality of thin filmtransistors, a light emitting element layer including light emittingelements connected to the plurality of thin film transistors, and anencapsulation layer encapsulating the light emitting element layer.

The sensing electrode layer SEL may be disposed on the display layerDPL. The sensing electrode layer SEL may include sensing electrodes. Forexample, the sensing electrode layer SEL may include a plurality offirst sensing electrodes and a plurality of second sensing electrodes.Mutual capacitance may be formed between the plurality of first sensingelectrodes and the plurality of second sensing electrodes. The first andsecond touch drivers 230 and 240 may sense a touch based on the mutualcapacitance between the plurality of first sensing electrodes and theplurality of second sensing electrodes.

The polarizing film PF may be disposed on the sensing electrode layerSEL. For example, the polarizing film PF may include a phase retardationfilm such as a linear polarizing plate or a quarter-wave plate. Thephase retardation film and the linear polarizing plate may besequentially stacked on the sensing electrode layer SEL.

The display panel 100 may further include a cover window disposed on thepolarizing film PF. The cover window may be attached onto the polarizingfilm PF by a transparent adhesive member such as an optically clearadhesive (OCA) film.

The panel lower member PLM may be included in the display panel 100. Thepanel lower member PLM may be attached to the lower surface of the firstbase member SUB1 through an adhesive member. The adhesive member may bea pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA). The panel lower member PLM mayinclude at least one of a light blocking member for absorbing lightincident from the outside, a buffer member for absorbing shock from theoutside, and a heat dissipation member for efficiently dissipating heatof the display panel 100.

The light blocking member may be disposed under the first base memberSUB1. The light blocking member may prevent the transmission of lightand thus prevent the circuit board 210 or the first touch driver 230disposed under the light blocking member from being visible from the topof the display panel 100. For example, the light blocking member mayinclude a light absorbing material such as a black pigment or a blackdye.

The buffer member may be disposed under the light blocking member. Thebuffer member may absorb an external shock to prevent the display panel100 from being damaged. The buffer member may be formed of a singlelayer or multiple layers. For example, the buffer member is formed of apolymer resin such as polyurethane, polycarbonate, polypropylene, orpolyethylene, or may include an elastic material such as a sponge formedby foaming a rubber, a urethane-based material, or an acrylic material.

The heat dissipation member may be disposed under the buffer member. Theheat dissipation member may include a first heat dissipation layerincluding graphite or carbon nanotubes, and a second heat dissipationlayer formed of a metal thin film such as copper, nickel, ferrite, orsilver, which can block electromagnetic waves and have excellent thermalconductivity.

The sub-area SBA of the first base member SUB1 may be bent, and may bedisposed under the display panel 100. The sub-area SBA of the first basemember SUB1 may be attached to the lower surface of the lower panel PLMby a first adhesive member 291.

The flexible film 250 may be disposed on the other side of the displaypanel 100. The flexible film 250 may be attached onto second padsdisposed on the upper surface of the first base member SUB1 through ananisotropic conductive film or a low-resistance high-reliabilitymaterial such as a self assembly anisotropic conductive paste (SAP). Theflexible film 250 may be bent, and may be disposed under the first basemember SUB1. The flexible film 250 may be attached to the lower surfaceof the panel lower member PLM by a second adhesive member 292. Forexample, the first and second adhesive members 291 and 292 may bepressure sensitive adhesives.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of thedisplay device of FIG. 1. Hereinafter, the same components as thosedescribed above will be briefly described or omitted for descriptiveconvenience.

Referring to FIG. 3, the display panel 100 may include a first basemember SUB1, a display layer DPL, an adhesive member SEAL, a second basemember SUB2, a sensing electrode layer SEL, a polarizing film PF, and apanel lower member PLM.

The adhesive member SEAL may bond the first base member SUB1 and thesecond base member SUB2. The adhesive member SEAL may be disposed onedges of the first base member SUB1 and the second base member SUB2 tosurround the display layer DPL. The adhesive member SEAL may be a fritadhesive layer, an ultraviolet curing resin layer, or a thermosettingresin layer, but is not limited thereto.

The second base member SUB2 may support the sensing electrode layer SEL.For example, the second base member SUB2 may include a flexible materialthat can be easily bent, folded, or rolled. The second base member SUB2may be a flexible substrate capable of bending, folding, rolling, andthe like. For example, the second base member SUB2 may include aflexible material and a rigid material.

The sensing electrode layer SEL may be disposed on the second basemember SUB2. The sensing electrode layer SEL may include sensingelectrodes. For example, the sensing electrode layer SEL may include aplurality of first sensing electrodes and a plurality of second sensingelectrodes. Mutual capacitance may be formed between the plurality offirst sensing electrodes and the plurality of second sensing electrodes.The first and second touch drivers 230 and 240 may sense a touch basedon the mutual capacitance between the plurality of first sensingelectrodes and the plurality of second sensing electrodes.

The polarizing film PF may be disposed on the sensing electrode layerSEL. For example, the polarizing film PF may include a phase retardationfilm such as a linear polarizing plate or a quarter-wave plate. Thephase retardation film and the linear polarizing plate may besequentially stacked on the sensing electrode layer SEL.

For example, the sensing electrode layer SEL and the polarizing film PFmay be integrally formed. In this case, the sensing electrode layer SEL,the phase retardation film, and the linear polarizing plate may besequentially stacked on the second base member SUB2.

The flexible film 250 may be disposed on the other side of the displaypanel 100. The flexible film 250 may be attached onto second padsdisposed on the upper surface of the second base member SUB2 through ananisotropic conductive film or a low-resistance high-reliabilitymaterial such as a self assembly anisotropic conductive paste (SAP). Theflexible film 250 may be bent, and may be disposed under the first basemember SUB1. The flexible film 250 may be attached to the lower surfaceof the panel lower member PLM by the second adhesive member 292. Forexample, the first and second adhesive members 291 and 292 may bepressure sensitive adhesives.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an embodiment of a sensing electrode layer ofthe display device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a plan view of third displayarea if the display device of FIG. 1 illustrating the sensing electrodelayer of FIG. 4.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the sensing electrode layer SEL may includea touch sensor area TSA for sensing a user's touch, and a touchperipheral area TPA disposed around the touch sensor area TSA. The touchsensor area TSA may overlap the display area DA of the display layerDPL, and the touch peripheral area TPA may overlap the non-display areaNDA of the display layer DPL.

The touch sensor area TSA may include a plurality of sensing electrodesSEN and a plurality of dummy patterns DME. The plurality of sensingelectrodes SEN may form mutual capacitance to sense the touch of anobject or a person. The plurality of sensing electrodes SEN may includea plurality of driving electrodes TE and a plurality of sensingelectrodes RE. For example, the driving electrode TE may be defined as afirst sensing electrode, and the sensing electrode RE may be defined asa second sensing electrode. For example, the driving electrode TE may bedefined as a second sensing electrode, and the sensing electrode RE maybe defined as a first sensing electrode.

The plurality of driving electrodes TE may be arranged in the firstdirection (X-axis direction) and the second direction (Y-axisdirection). The plurality of driving electrodes TE may be spaced apartfrom each other in the first direction (X-axis direction) and the seconddirection (Y-axis direction). The driving electrodes TE adjacent to eachother in the second direction (Y-axis direction) may be electricallyconnected through a connection electrode CE.

Among the plurality of driving electrodes TE, some driving electrodes TEdisposed on one side of the folding axis may be connected to a firsttouch pad unit TP1 through a first driving line TL1. For example, someof the driving electrodes TE may be electrically connected along thesecond direction (Y-axis direction) from one side of the folding axisdisposed in the third display area DA3 to one end of the first displayarea DA1, and the driving electrodes TE disposed at one end of the firstdisplay area DA1 may be connected to the first driving line TL1. Here,one end of the first display area DA1 may correspond to one end of thedisplay panel 100. The first driving line TL1 may connect the drivingelectrodes TE disposed at one end of the first display area DA1 and thefirst touch pad unit TP1 disposed at one side of the display panel 100.The first touch pad unit TP1 may be connected to the first touch driver230 through the circuit board 210.

Among the plurality of driving electrodes TE, other driving electrodesTE disposed on the other side of the folding axis may be connected to athird touch pad unit TP3 through a second driving line TL2. For example,others of the driving electrodes TE may be electrically connected alongthe second direction (Y-axis direction) from the other side of thefolding axis disposed in the third display area DA3 to the other end ofthe second display area DA2, and the driving electrodes TE disposed atthe other end of the second display area DA2 may be connected to thesecond driving line TL2. Here, the other end of the second display areaDA2 may correspond to the other end of the display panel 100. The seconddriving line TL2 may connect the driving electrodes TE disposed atanother end of the second display area DA2 and the third touch pad unitTP3 disposed at the other side of the display panel 100. The third touchpad unit TP3 may be connected to the second touch driver 240 through theflexible film 250.

The connection electrode CE may be bent at least once. For example, theconnection electrode CE may have an angled shape (“<” or “>”) in a planview, but the shape of the connection electrode CE is not limitedthereto. The driving electrodes TE adjacent to each other in the seconddirection (Y-axis direction) may be connected by the plurality ofconnection electrodes CE, and may be stably connected through theresidual connection electrodes CE even when any one of the connectionelectrodes CE is disconnected. The driving electrodes TE adjacent toeach other may be connected by two connection electrodes CE, but thenumber of connection electrodes CE is not limited thereto.

The connection electrode CE may be disposed in a different layer fromthe plurality of driving electrodes TE and the plurality of sensingelectrodes RE. The sensing electrodes RE adjacent to each other in thefirst direction (X-axis direction) may be electrically connected througha connection portion disposed on the same layer as the plurality ofdriving electrodes TE or the plurality of sensing electrodes RE, and thedriving electrodes TE adjacent to each other in the second direction(Y-axis direction) may be electrically connected through the connectionelectrode CE disposed in a different layer from the plurality of drivingelectrodes TE or the plurality of sensing electrodes RE. Therefore, evenwhen the connecting portion of the plurality of sensing electrodes REand the connecting electrode CE overlap each other in the thirddirection (Z-axis direction), the plurality of driving electrodes TE maybe insulated from the plurality of sensing electrodes RE. Accordingly,mutual capacitance may be formed between the driving electrode TE andthe sensing electrode RE.

The plurality of sensing electrodes RE may extend in the first direction(X-axis direction), and may be spaced apart from each other in thesecond direction (Y-axis direction). The plurality of sensing electrodesRE may be arranged in the first direction (X-axis direction) and thesecond direction (Y-axis direction), and the sensing electrodes REadjacent in the first direction (X-axis direction) may be electricallyconnected through a connection portion.

Among the plurality of sensing electrodes, some sensing electrodes REdisposed on one side of the folding axis may be connected to the secondtouch pad unit TP2 through a first sensing line RL1. For example, someof the sensing electrodes RE may be electrically connected along thefirst direction (X-axis direction) from the left side of the displayarea DA to the right side of the display area DA, and the sensingelectrodes RE disposed at the other end adjacent to one end of thedisplay area DA may be connected to the first sensing line RL1. Here,the other end adjacent to one end of the display area DA may be theright end of the display area DA disposed on one side of the foldingaxis. The first sensing line RL1 may connect the sensing electrodes REdisposed at the right end of the display area DA on one side of thefolding axis and the second touch pad unit TP2 disposed at one side ofthe display panel 100. The first sensing line RL1 may extend to thesecond touch pad unit TP2 disposed in the sub-area SBA via the right andlower sides of the touch peripheral area TPA. The second touch pad unitTP2 may be adjacent to the first touch pad unit TP1 or the display padunit DP, and may be connected to the first touch driver 230 through thecircuit board 210.

Among the plurality of sensing electrodes, other sensing electrodes REdisposed on the other side of the folding axis may be connected to thefourth touch pad unit TP4 through a second sensing line RL2. Forexample, others of the sensing electrodes RE may be electricallyconnected along the first direction (X-axis direction) from the leftside of the display area DA to the right side of the display area DA,and the sensing electrodes RE disposed at the other end adjacent toanother end of the display area DA may be connected to the secondsensing line RL2. Here, the other end adjacent to another end of thedisplay area DA may be the right end of the display area DA disposed onthe other side of the folding axis. The second sensing line RL2 mayconnect the sensing electrodes RE disposed at the right end of thedisplay area DA on the other side of the folding axis and the fourthtouch pad unit TP4 disposed at the other side of the display panel 100.The second sensing line RL2 may extend to the fourth touch pad unit TP4disposed at the upper side of the touch peripheral area TPA via theright side of the touch peripheral area TPA. The fourth touch pad unitTP4 may be adjacent to the third touch pad unit TP3 or the display padunit DP, and may be connected to the second touch driver 240 through theflexible film 250.

Each of the plurality of dummy patterns DME may be surrounded by thedriving electrode TE or the sensing electrode RE. Each of the pluralityof dummy patterns DME may be spaced apart from and insulated from thedriving electrode TE or the sensing electrode RE. Accordingly, the dummypattern DME may be electrically floated.

For example, each of the length of one driving electrode TE surroundedby adjacent sensing electrodes RE in the first direction (X-axisdirection) and the length of the one driving electrode TE in the seconddirection (Y-axis direction) may be about 3 mm to about 5 mm. The lengthof the driving electrode TE in the first direction (X-axis direction)refers to a distance from the left end to the right end of the drivingelectrode TE, and the length of the driving electrode TE in the seconddirection (Y-axis direction) refers to a distance from the upper end tothe lower end of the driving electrode TE. Each of the length of onesensing electrode RE surrounded by adjacent driving electrodes TE in thefirst direction (X-axis direction) and the length of the one sensingelectrode RE in the second direction (Y-axis direction) may also beabout 3 mm to about 5 mm.

For example, each of the driving electrode TE, the sensing electrode RE,and the dummy pattern DME may have a rhombic shape in a plan view, butthe shape thereof is not limited thereto. For example, each of thedriving electrode TE, the sensing electrode RE, and the dummy patternDME may have a rectangular shape other than the rhombic shape, apolygonal shape other than the rectangular shape, a circular shape, oran oval shape.

The first driving line TL1 may supply touch driving signals suppliedfrom the first touch driver 230 to the plurality of driving electrodesTE disposed on one side of the folding axis. The second driving line TL2may supply touch driving signals supplied from the second touch driver240 to the plurality of driving electrodes TE disposed on the other sideof the folding axis. Accordingly, among the plurality of drivingelectrodes TE, some driving electrodes TE may receive touch drivingsignals from the first touch driver 230, and other driving electrodes TEmay receive touch driving signals from the second touch driver 240,thereby reducing the resistance-capacitance (RC) relay of the touchdriving signal. Consequently, in the display device 10, the occurrenceof a difference between the touch driving signal applied to the drivingelectrodes TE disposed at one side of the touch sensor area TSA and thetouch driving signal applied to the driving electrodes TE disposed atthe other side of the touch sensor area TSA may be prevented, therebyimproving touch sensitivity.

Further, in the display device 10, the display layer DPL and the sensingelectrode layer SEL may be provided in the third display area DA3 thatis folded along the folding axis, so that the display layer DPL of thethird display area DA3 may display an image, and the sensing electrodelayer SEL of the third display area DA3 may detect a touch.

The display pad area DPA, the first touch pad area TPA1, and the secondtouch pad area TPA2 may be disposed at one side of the display panel100. The display pad area DPA, the first touch pad area TPA1, and thesecond touch pad area TPA2 may be disposed in the sub-area SBA. Thedisplay pad area DPA, the first touch pad area TPA1, and the secondtouch pad area TPA2 may be electrically connected to the circuit board210 through an anisotropic conductive film or a low-resistancehigh-reliability material such as a self assembly anisotropic conductivepaste (SAP).

The display pad area DPA may include a plurality of display pad unitsDP. The plurality of display pad units DP may be connected to the mainprocessor through the circuit board 210. The plurality of display padunits DP may be connected to the circuit board 210 to receive digitalvideo data and supply the digital video data to the display driver 220.

The first touch pad area TPA1 may be disposed at one side of the displaypad area DPA, and may include a plurality of first touch pad units TP1.The plurality of first touch pad units TP1 may be electrically connectedto the first touch driver 230 disposed on the circuit board 210. Theplurality of first touch pad units TP1 may supply touch driving signalsto the driving electrodes TE disposed on one side of the folding axisthrough the plurality of first driving lines TL1.

The second touch pad area TPA2 may be disposed at the other side of thedisplay pad area DPA, and may include a plurality of second touch padunits TP2. The plurality of second touch pad units TP2 may beelectrically connected to the first touch driver 230 disposed on thecircuit board 210. The first touch driver 230 may detect a change inmutual capacitance between the driving electrode TE and the sensingelectrode RE through the plurality of first sensing lines RL1 connectedto the plurality of second touch pad units TP2.

The third touch pad area TPA3 and the fourth touch pad area TPA4 may bedisposed at the other side of the display panel 100.

The third touch pad area TPA3 may include a plurality of third touch padunits TPA3. The plurality of third touch pad units TP3 may beelectrically connected to the second touch driver 240 disposed on theflexible film 250. The plurality of third touch pad units TP3 may supplytouch driving signals to the driving electrodes TE disposed on the otherside of the folding axis through the plurality of second driving linesTL2.

The fourth touch pad area TPA4 may include a plurality of fourth touchpad units TP4. The plurality of fourth touch pad units TP4 may beelectrically connected to the second touch driver 240 disposed on theflexible film 250. The second touch driver 240 may detect a change inmutual capacitance between the driving electrode TE and the sensingelectrode RE through the plurality of second sensing lines RL2 connectedto the plurality of fourth touch pad units TP4.

The sensing electrode layer SEL may further include a metal line GNL.The metal line GNL may be disposed between the plurality of drivingelectrodes TE connected to the plurality of first driving lines TL1 andthe plurality of driving electrodes TE connected to the plurality ofsecond driving lines TL2. The metal line GNL may be disposed betweensome driving electrodes TE disposed on one side of the folding axis andother driving electrodes TE disposed on the other side of the foldingaxis. The metal line GNL may be substantially parallel to the foldingaxis, but embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the metalline GNL may intersect with the folding axis in a plan view, or themetal line GNL may overlap the folding axis in the third direction(Z-axis direction), but embodiments are not limited thereto. The metalline GNL may extend from the right side to the left side of the thirddisplay area DA, and may be connected to the ground pad unit GNPdisposed at one side of the display panel 100 via the left and lowersides of the touch peripheral area TPA. The ground pad unit GNP may beadjacent to the first touch pad unit TP1.

The metal line GNL may be grounded to a specific voltage through theground pad unit GNP. When the metal line GNL is grounded, electricalinterference between the driving electrode TE disposed at one side ofthe metal line GNL and the sensing electrode RE disposed at the otherside of the metal line GNL may be prevented. Further, the metal line GNLmay prevent electrical interference between the driving electrode TEdisposed at the other side of the metal line GNL and the sensingelectrode RE disposed at one side of the metal line GNL. Therefore, thetouch sensitivity of the sensing electrode layer SEL may be improved dueto the plurality of sensing electrodes SEN spaced apart from each otherwith the metal line GNL therebetween, and each of the first and secondtouch drivers 230 and 240 may easily detect mutual capacitance formed onthe plurality of sensing electrodes SEN.

The plurality of sensing electrodes RE may include first to fourthsensing electrodes RE1 to RE4. The first sensing electrode RE1 maydisposed on one side of the folding axis and be closest to the foldingaxis or the metal line GNL, and the second sensing electrode RE2 may bedisposed at one side of the first sensing electrode RE1. The thirdsensing electrode RE3 may disposed on the other side of the folding axisand be closest to the folding axis or the metal line GNL, and the fourthsensing electrode RE4 may be disposed at the other side of the thirdsensing electrode RE3. The metal line GNL may be disposed between thefirst and second sensing electrodes RE1 and RE2 and may extend in adirection parallel to each of the first to fourth sensing electrodes RE1to RE4.

For example, the first distance d1 between the first sensing electrodeRE1 and the third sensing electrode RE3 may be substantially equal tothe second distance d2 between the first sensing electrode RE1 and thesecond sensing electrode RE2. The first distance d1 between the firstsensing electrode RE1 and the third sensing electrode RE3 may besubstantially equal to the second distance d2 between the third sensingelectrode RE3 and the fourth sensing electrode RE4. Therefore, even whenthe metal line GNL is disposed between the first and second sensingelectrodes RE1 and RE2, the first to fourth sensing electrodes RE1 toRE4 may be arranged at substantially the same intervals.

The size of the driving electrode TE disposed between the first sensingelectrode RE1 and the metal line GNL may be half of or less than thesize of the driving electrode TE disposed between the first and secondsensing electrodes RE1 and RE2. The size of the driving electrode TEdisposed between the third sensing electrode RE3 and the metal line GNLmay be half of or less than the size of the driving electrode TEdisposed between the third and fourth sensing electrodes RE3 and RE4.For example, the sum of the size of the driving electrode TE disposedbetween the first sensing electrode RE1 and the metal line GNL and thesize of the driving electrode TE disposed between the third sensingelectrode RE3 and the metal line GNL may be smaller than the size of thedriving electrode TE disposed between the first and second sensingelectrodes RE1 and RE2 by the sum (e.g., the first distance d1) of athickness of the metal line GNL and intervals between the metal line GNLand the driving electrodes TE. Accordingly, the plurality of drivingelectrodes TE may be arranged at substantially the same intervals,except for the driving electrodes TE directly facing the metal line GNL.

The facing area of the plurality of driving electrodes TE spaced apartfrom each other and adjacent to folding axis or the metal line GNLinterposed therebetween face each other may be larger than the facingarea of the plurality of sensing electrodes RE spaced from each otherand adjacent to the folding axis or the metal line GNL interposedtherebetween face each other. Accordingly, the plurality of drivingelectrodes TE facing each other and adjacent to the metal line GNLinterposed therebetween may have a shape that is formed through cuttingthe driving electrode TE of the first display area DA1 or the seconddisplay area DA2 by the metal line GNL.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of area Al in FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is an enlargedview of area A2 in FIG. 5, and FIG. 8 is a plan view of an embodiment ofa display layer and a sensing electrode layer of the display device ofFIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 6 to 8, the plurality of driving electrodes TE, theplurality of sensing electrodes RE, the plurality of dummy patterns DME,and the metal line GNL may be disposed on the same layer and spacedapart from each other. Accordingly, a plurality of gaps GAP may beformed between the driving electrode TE and the sensing electrode RE,may be formed between the driving electrode TE and the dummy patternDME, and may be formed between the sensing electrode RE and the dummypattern DME.

The plurality of driving electrodes TE may be arranged in the firstdirection (X-axis direction) and the second direction (Y-axisdirection). The plurality of driving electrodes TE may be spaced apartfrom each other in the first direction (X-axis direction) and the seconddirection (Y-axis direction). The driving electrodes TE adjacent in thesecond direction (Y-axis direction) may be electrically connectedthrough the connection electrode CE.

The connection electrode CE may be bent at least once. For example, theconnection electrode CE may have an angled shape (“<” or “>”) in a planview, but the shape of the connection electrode CE is not limitedthereto. The driving electrodes TE adjacent to each other in the seconddirection (Y-axis direction) may be connected by the plurality ofconnection electrodes CE, and may be stably connected through theresidual connection electrodes CE even when any one of the connectionelectrodes CE is disconnected. The driving electrodes TE adjacent toeach other may be connected by two connection electrodes CE, but thenumber of connection electrodes CE is not limited thereto.

The plurality of sensing electrodes RE may extend in the first direction(X-axis direction) and may be spaced apart from each other in the seconddirection (Y-axis direction). The plurality of sensing electrodes RE maybe arranged in the first direction (X-axis direction) and the seconddirection (Y-axis direction), and the sensing electrodes RE adjacent inthe first direction (X-axis direction) may be electrically connectedthrough the connection portion REC. For example, the connection portionREC of the sensing electrodes RE may be disposed between the drivingelectrodes TE adjacent to each other. For example, the connectionportion REC of the sensing electrodes RE may be disposed in an areawhere the driving electrodes TE adjacent to each other have the shortestdistance from each other.

The plurality of connection electrodes CE may be disposed in a differentlayer from the driving electrode TE and the sensing electrode RE. Theconnection electrode CE may include a first portion CEa and a secondportion CEb. For example, the second portion CEb of the connectionelectrode CE may be connected to the driving electrode TE disposed atone side thereof through the first contact hole CNT1 and may extend in asecond diagonal direction DR2. The first portion CEa of the connectionelectrode CE may be bent from the second portion CEb in an areaoverlapping the sensing electrode RE and may extend in a first diagonaldirection DR1, and may be connected to the driving electrode TE disposedat the other side thereof through the first contact hole CNT1.Hereinafter, the first diagonal direction DR1 may be a direction betweenthe first direction (X-axis direction) and the second direction (Y-axisdirection), and the second diagonal direction DR2 may be a directionintersecting the first diagonal direction DR1. Accordingly, each of theplurality of connection electrodes CE may connect adjacent drivingelectrodes TE in the second direction (Y-axis direction).

For example, the plurality of driving electrodes TE, the plurality ofsensing electrodes RE, and the plurality of dummy patterns DME may beformed in a mesh structure or a network structure in a plan view.Therefore, the plurality of driving electrodes TE, the plurality ofsensing electrodes RE, and the plurality of dummy patterns DME may notoverlap first to third light emitting areas EA1 to EA3 of a pixel groupPG. The plurality of connection electrodes CE may also not overlap thefirst to third light emitting areas EA1 to EA3. Accordingly, the displaydevice 10 may prevent the luminance of light emitted from the first tothird light emitting areas EA1 to EA3 from being reduced by the sensingelectrode layer SEL.

Each of the driving electrodes TE may include a first portion TEaextending in the first diagonal direction DR1 and a second portion TEbextending in the second diagonal direction DR2. Each of the sensingelectrodes RE may include a first portion REa extending in the firstdiagonal direction DR1 and a second portion REb extending in the seconddiagonal direction DR2.

For example, the plurality of driving electrodes TE, the plurality ofsensing electrodes RE, and the plurality of dummy patterns DME may beformed in an entire surface structure, not in a mesh structure or anetwork structure, in a plan view. In this case, the plurality ofdriving electrodes TE, the plurality of sensing electrodes RE, and theplurality of dummy patterns DME may include a transparent conductivematerial having high light transmittance, such as ITO and IZO, and mayprevent the luminance of light emitted from the first to third lightemitting areas EA1 to EA3 from being reduced.

The plurality of pixels may include first to third sub-pixels, and eachof the first to third sub-pixels may include first to third lightemitting areas EA1 to EA3. For example, the first light emitting areaEA1 may emit light of a first color (e.g., a red light), the secondlight emitting area EA2 may emit light of a second color (e.g., a greenlight), and the third light emitting area EA3 may emit light of a thirdcolor (e.g., a blue light).

Each of the first light emitting area EA1, the second light emittingarea EA2, and the third light emitting area EA3 may have a rhombic shapeor a rectangular shape in a plan view, but the shape thereof is notlimited thereto. Each of the first to third light emitting areas EA1 toEA3 may have a polygonal shape, a circular shape, or an elliptical shapeother than the rectangular shape in a plan view. For example, the areaof the third light emitting area EA3 may be the largest, and the area ofthe second light emitting area EA2 may be the smallest, but embodimentsare not limited thereto.

One pixel group PG may include one first light emitting area EA1, twosecond light emitting areas EA2, and one third light emitting area EA3to express or realize white gradation. Accordingly, white gradation maybe expressed by the combination of the light emitted from one firstlight emitting area EA1, the light emitted from two second lightemitting areas EA2, and the light emitted from one third light emittingarea EA3.

The second light emitting areas EA2 may be arranged in odd rows. Thesecond light emitting areas EA2 may be arranged in substantiallyparallel in the first direction (X-axis direction) in each of the oddrows. One of the second light emitting areas EA2 adjacent to each othermay have a long side in the first diagonal direction DR1 and a shortside in the second diagonal direction DR2, and the other of the secondlight emitting areas EA2 adjacent to each other may have a long side inthe second diagonal direction DR2 and a short side in the first diagonaldirection DR1.

The first light emitting areas EA1 and the third light emitting areasEA3 may be arranged in even rows. The first light emitting areas EA1 andthe third light emitting areas EA3 may be alternately arranged in eachof the even rows.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I′ of FIG. 8.

Referring to FIG. 9, the display device 10 may include a first basemember SUB1, a thin film transistor layer TFTL, a light emitting elementlayer EML, an encapsulation layer TFEL, and a sensing electrode layerSEL.

The first base member SUB1 may support the display panel 100. Forexample, the first base member SUB1 may include a material that can beeasily bent, folded, or rolled due to its flexibility. The first basemember SUB1 may be a flexible substrate capable of bending, folding,rolling, and the like. For example, the first base member SUB1 mayinclude a flexible material and a rigid material.

The thin film transistor layer TFTL may include first and second bufferlayers BF1 and BF2, a thin film transistor TFT, a gate insulating filmGI, a first interlayer insulating film ILD1, a capacitor electrode CPE,a second interlayer insulating film ILD2, a first passivation layerPAS1, an anode connection electrode ANDE1, and a second passivationlayer PAS2.

The first buffer layer BF1 may be disposed on the first base memberSUB1. The first buffer layer BF1 may be formed of an inorganic filmcapable of preventing the infiltration of air or moisture. For example,the first buffer layer BF1 may include a plurality of inorganic filmsalternately stacked. The first buffer layer BF1 may be formed as amulti-layer film in which at least one inorganic layer of a siliconnitride layer, a silicon oxy nitride layer, a silicon oxide layer, atitanium oxide layer, and an aluminum oxide layer is alternatelystacked, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

A light blocking layer BML may be disposed on the first buffer layerBF1. For example, the light blocking layer BML may be formed as a singlelayer or multiple layers including any one of molybdenum (Mo), aluminum(Al), chromium (Cr), gold (Au), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), neodymium(Nd), and copper (Cu), or an alloy thereof. For example, the lightblocking layer BML may be an organic layer including black pigment.

The second buffer layer BF2 may cover the first buffer layer BF1 and thelight blocking layer BML. The second buffer layer BF2 may be formed ofan inorganic film capable of preventing the infiltration of air ormoisture. For example, the second buffer layer BF2 may include aplurality of inorganic films alternately stacked. The second bufferlayer BF2 may be formed of the materials used in forming the firstbuffer layer BF1.

The thin film transistor TFT may be disposed on the second buffer layerBF2 and may constitute a pixel circuit of each of the plurality ofpixels. For example, the thin film transistor TFT may be a drivingtransistor or a switching transistor of a pixel circuit. The thin filmtransistor TFT may include a semiconductor layer ACT, a gate electrodeGE, a source electrode SE, and a drain electrode DE.

The semiconductor layer ACT may be provided on the second buffer layerBF2. The semiconductor layer ACT may overlap the gate electrode GE, thesource electrode SE, and the drain electrode DE. The semiconductor layerACT may directly contact the source electrode SE and the drain electrodeDE, and may face the gate electrode GE with the gate insulating film GIinterposed therebetween.

The gate electrode GE may be disposed on the gate insulating film GI.The gate electrode GE may overlap the semiconductor layer ACT with thegate insulating film GI interposed therebetween.

The source electrode SE and the drain electrode DE may be disposed to bespaced apart from each other on the second interlayer insulating filmILD2. The source electrode SE may contact one end of the semiconductorlayer ACT through a contact hole provided in the gate insulating film GIand the first and second interlayer insulating films ILD1 and ILD2. Thedrain electrode DE may contact the other end of the semiconductor layerACT through a contact hole provided in the gate insulating film GI andthe first and second interlayer insulating films ILD1 and ILD2. Thedrain electrode DE may be connected to an anode connection electrodeANDE1 through a contact hole provided in the first passivation layerPAS1.

The gate insulating film GI may be provided on the semiconductor layerACT. For example, the gate insulating film GI may be disposed on thesemiconductor layer ACT and the second buffer layer BF2, and mayinsulate the semiconductor layer ACT from the gate electrode GE. Thegate insulating film GI may include a contact hole through which thesource electrode SE penetrates and a contact hole through which thedrain electrode DE penetrates.

The first interlayer insulating film ILD1 may be disposed on the gateelectrode GE. For example, the first interlayer insulating film ILD1 mayinclude a contact hole through which the source electrode SE penetratesand a contact hole through which the drain electrode DE penetrates.Here, the contact hole of the first interlayer insulating film ILD1 maybe connected to the contact hole of the gate insulating film GI and thecontact hole of the second interlayer insulating film ILD2.

The capacitor electrode CPE may be disposed on the first interlayerinsulating film ILD1. The capacitor electrode CPE may overlap the gateelectrode GE in the third direction (Z-axis direction). For example, thecapacitor electrode CPE may be formed as a single layer or multiplelayers including at least one selected from molybdenum (Mo), aluminum(Al), chromium (Cr), gold (Au), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), neodymium(Nd), and copper (Cu).

The second interlayer insulating film ILD2 may cover the capacitorelectrode CPE and the first interlayer insulating film ILD1. Forexample, the second interlayer insulating film ILD2 may include acontact hole through which the source electrode SE penetrates and acontact hole through which the drain electrode DE penetrates. Here, thecontact hole of the second interlayer insulating film ILD2 may beconnected to the contact hole of the first interlayer insulating filmILD1 and the contact hole of the gate insulating film GI.

The first passivation layer PAS1 may be provided on the thin filmtransistor TFT to protect the thin film transistor TFT. The firstpassivation layer PAS1 may include a contact hole through which theanode connection electrode ANDE1 penetrates. For example, the firstpassivation layer PAS1 may be formed as an organic film including anacrylic resin, an epoxy resin, a phenolic resin, a polyamide resin, or apolyimide resin, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

The anode connection electrode ANDE1 may be disposed on the firstpassivation layer PAS1. The anode connection electrode ANDE1 may beconnected to the drain electrode DE of the thin film transistor TFTthrough a contact hole penetrating the first passivation layer PAS1. Forexample, the anode connection electrode ANDE1 may be formed as a singlelayer or multiple layers including at least one of molybdenum (Mo),aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), gold (Au), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni),neodymium (Nd), and copper (Cu).

The second passivation layer PAS2 may be provided on the firstpassivation layer PAS1 to cover the anode connection electrode ANDE1 andthe first passivation layer PAS1. The second passivation layer PAS2 mayinclude a contact hole through which the first electrode E1 of the lightemitting element EL penetrates. Here, the contact hole of the secondpassivation layer PAS2 may be connected to the contact hole of the firstpassivation layer PAS1. For example, the second passivation layer PAS2may be made of the materials used in forming the first passivation layerPAS1.

A light emitting element layer EML may be provided on the thin filmtransistor layer TFTL. The light emitting element layer EML may includea light emitting element EL and a pixel defining layer PDL. The lightemitting element EL may include a first electrode E1, a light emittinglayer E, and a second electrode E2.

The first electrode E1 may be provided on the second passivation layerPAS2. For example, the first electrode E1 may be disposed to overlap oneof the first to third light emitting areas EA1 to EA3 defined by thepixel defining layer PDL. The first electrode E1 may be connected to thedrain electrode DE of the thin film transistor TFT.

The light emitting layer E may be provided on the first electrode E1.The light emitting layer E may include a hole injection layer, a holetransport layer, a light receiving layer, an electron blocking layer, anelectron transport layer, and an electron injection layer. For example,the light emitting layer E may be an organic light emitting layerincluding an organic material, but is not limited thereto. In the casewhere the light emitting layer E corresponds to an organic lightemitting layer, when the thin film transistor TFT applies apredetermined voltage to the first electrode E1 of the light emittingelement EL and the second electrode E2 of the light emitting element ELreceives a common voltage or a cathode voltage, holes and electrons maymove to the organic light emitting layer E through the hole transportlayer and the electron transport layer, respectively, and the holes andthe electrons may be combined with each other in the organic lightemitting layer E to emit light.

The second electrode E2 may be provided on the light emitting layer E.For example, the second electrode E2 may be implemented in the form of acommon electrode used for all pixels without being classified for eachof the plurality of pixels. For example, the second electrode E2 may bedisposed on the light emitting layer E in the first to third lightemitting areas EA1 to EA3, and may be disposed on the pixel defininglayer PDL in an area other than the first to third light emitting areasEA1 to EA3.

The pixel defining layer PDL may define first to third light emittingareas EA1 to EA3. The pixel defining layer PDL may separate and insulatethe first electrodes E1 of each of the plurality of light emittingelements EL.

The encapsulation layer TFEL may be disposed on the second electrode E2to cover the plurality of light emitting elements EL. The encapsulationlayer TFEL may include at least one inorganic layer, and may preventoxygen or moisture from penetrating the light emitting element layerEML. For example, the encapsulation layer TFEL may include at least oneinorganic layer selected from a silicon nitride layer, a silicon oxynitride layer, a silicon oxide layer, a titanium oxide layer, and analuminum oxide layer. The encapsulation layer TFEL may include at leastone organic layer to protect the light emitting element layer EML fromforeign matter such as dust. For example, the encapsulation layer TFELmay include an acrylic resin, an epoxy resin, a phenolic resin, apolyamide resin, or a polyimide resin.

A sensing electrode layer SEL may be disposed on the encapsulation layerTFEL. The sensing electrode layer SEL may include a third buffer layerBF3, a connection electrode CE, a first insulating film SIL1 a drivingelectrode TE, a sensing electrode RE, and a second insulating film SIL2.

The third buffer layer BF3 may be disposed on the encapsulation layerTFEL. The third buffer layer BF3 may have insulating and opticalfunctions. The third buffer layer BF3 may include at least one inorganiclayer. For example, the third buffer layer BF3 may be formed as amulti-layer film in which at least one inorganic film of a siliconnitride layer, a silicon oxy nitride layer, a silicon oxide layer, atitanium oxide layer, and an aluminum oxide layer is alternatelystacked. Optionally, the third buffer layer BF3 may be omitted.

The connection electrode CE may be disposed on the third buffer layerBF3. The connection electrode CE may be disposed in a different layerfrom the driving electrode TE and the sensing electrode RE to connectthe driving electrodes TE adjacent to each other in the second direction(Y-axis direction). For example, the connection electrode CE may beformed as a single layer including molybdenum (Mo), titanium (Ti),copper (Cu), or aluminum (Al), or may be formed to have a stackedstructure (Ti/Al/Ti) of aluminum and titanium, a stacked structure(ITO/Al/ITO) of aluminum and ITO, an APC alloy structure, or a stackedstructure (ITO/APC/ITO) of APC alloy and ITO.

The first insulating film SIL1 may cover the connection electrode CE andthe third buffer layer BF3. The first insulating film SIL1 may performinsulating and optical functions. For example, the first insulating filmSIL1 may be formed of an inorganic layer such as a silicon nitridelayer, a silicon oxy nitride layer, a silicon oxide layer, a titaniumoxide layer, or an aluminum oxide layer.

The driving electrode TE and the sensing electrode RE may be disposed onthe first insulating film SIL1. Each of the driving electrode TE and thesensing electrode RE may not overlap the first to third light emittingareas EA1 to EA3. Each of the driving electrode TE and the sensingelectrode RE may be formed as a single layer including molybdenum (Mo),titanium (Ti), copper (Cu), or aluminum (Al), or may be formed to have astacked structure (Ti/Al/Ti) of aluminum and titanium, a stackedstructure (ITO/Al/ITO) of aluminum and ITO, an APC alloy structure, or astacked structure (ITO/APC/ITO) of APC alloy and ITO.

The second insulating film SIL2 may cover the driving electrode TE, thesensing electrode RE, and the first insulating film SIL1. The secondinsulating film SIL2 may have insulating and optical functions. Thesecond insulating film SIL2 may be formed of the materials used informing the first insulating film SIL1.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of another embodiment of the sensing electrodelayer of the display device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 11 is a plan view of thethird display area of the display device of FIG. 1 illustrating thesensing electrode layer of FIG. 10. Hereinafter, the same components asthose described above will be briefly described or omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the sensing electrode layer SEL mayinclude a touch sensor area TSA for sensing a user's touch, and a touchperipheral area TPA disposed around the touch sensor area TSA. The touchsensor area TSA may overlap the display area DA of the display layerDPL, and the touch peripheral area TPA may overlap the non-display areaNDA of the display layer DPL.

The touch sensor area TSA may include a plurality of sensing electrodesSEN and a plurality of dummy patterns DME. The plurality of sensingelectrodes SEN may form mutual capacitance to sense the touch of anobject or a person. The plurality of sensing electrodes SEN may includea plurality of driving electrodes TE and a plurality of sensingelectrodes RE. For example, the driving electrode TE may be defined as afirst sensing electrode, and the sensing electrode RE may be defined asa second sensing electrode. For example, the driving electrode TE may bedefined as a second sensing electrode, and the sensing electrode RE maybe defined as a first sensing electrode.

The plurality of driving electrodes TE may extend in the first direction(X-axis direction) and may be spaced apart from each other in the seconddirection (Y-axis direction). The plurality of driving electrodes TE maybe arranged in the first direction (X-axis direction) and the seconddirection (Y-axis direction), and the driving electrodes TE adjacent toeach other in the first direction (X-axis direction) may be electricallyconnected through a connection electrode CE.

Among the plurality of driving electrodes TE, some driving electrodes TEdisposed on one side of the folding axis may be connected to a secondtouch pad unit TP2 through a first driving line TL1. For example, someof the driving electrodes TE may be electrically connected along thefirst direction (X-axis direction) from the left side of the displayarea DA to the right side of the display area DA, and the drivingelectrodes TE disposed at the other end adjacent to one end of thedisplay area DA may be connected to the first driving line TL1. Here,the other end adjacent to one end of the display area DA may be theright end of the display area DA disposed on one side of the foldingaxis. The first driving line TL1 may connect the driving electrodes TEdisposed at the right end of the display area DA on one side of thefolding axis and the second touch pad unit TP2 disposed at one side ofthe display panel 100. The first driving line TL1 may extend to thesecond touch pad unit TP2 disposed in the sub-area SBA via the right andlower sides of the touch peripheral area TPA. The second touch pad unitTP2 may be adjacent to the first touch pad unit TP1 or the display padunit DP, and may be connected to the first touch driver 230 through thecircuit board 210.

Among the plurality of driving electrodes TE, other driving electrodesTE disposed on the other side of the folding axis may be connected to afourth touch pad unit TP4 through a second driving line TL2. Forexample, others of the driving electrodes TE may be electricallyconnected along the first direction (X-axis direction) from the leftside of the display area DA to the right side of the display area DA,and the driving electrodes TE disposed at the other end adjacent toanother end of the display area DA may be connected to the seconddriving line TL2. Here, the other end adjacent to another end of thedisplay area DA may be the right end of the display area DA disposed onthe other side of the folding axis. The second driving line TL2 mayconnect the driving electrodes TE disposed at the right end of thedisplay area DA on the other side of the folding axis and the fourthtouch pad unit TP4 disposed at the other side of the display panel 100.The second driving line TL2 may extend to the fourth touch pad unit TP4disposed at the upper side of the touch peripheral area TPA via theright side of the touch peripheral area TPA. The fourth touch pad unitTP4 may be adjacent to the third touch pad unit TP3, and may beconnected to the second touch driver 240 through the flexible film 250.

The plurality of sensing electrodes RE may be arranged in the firstdirection (X-axis direction) and the second direction (Y-axisdirection). The plurality of sensing electrodes RE may be spaced apartfrom each other in the first direction (X-axis direction) and the seconddirection (Y-axis direction). The sensing electrodes RE adjacent in thesecond direction (Y-axis direction) may be electrically connectedthrough a connection portion.

Among the plurality of sensing electrodes, some sensing electrodes REdisposed on one side of the folding axis may be connected to the firsttouch pad unit TP1 through a first sensing line RL1. For example, someof the sensing electrodes RE may be electrically connected along thesecond direction (Y-axis direction) from one side of the folding axisdisposed in the third display area DA3 to one end of the first displayarea DA1, and the sensing electrodes RE disposed at one end of the firstdisplay area DA1 may be connected to the first sensing line RL1. Here,one end of the first display area DA1 may correspond to one end of thedisplay panel 100. The first sensing line RL1 may connect the sensingelectrodes RE disposed at one end of the first display area DA1 and thefirst touch pad unit TP1 disposed at one side of the display panel 100.The first touch pad unit TP1 may be connected to the first touch driver230 through the circuit board 210.

Among the plurality of sensing electrodes, other sensing electrodes REdisposed on the other side of the folding axis may be connected to thethird touch pad unit TP3 through a second sensing line RL2. For example,others of the sensing electrodes RE may be electrically connected alongthe second direction (Y-axis direction) from the other side of thefolding axis disposed in the third display area DA3 to the other end ofthe second display area DA2, and the sensing electrodes RE disposed atthe other end of the second display area DA2 may be connected to thesecond sensing line RL2. Here, the other end of the second display areaDA2 may correspond to the other end of the display panel 100. The secondsensing line RL2 may connect the sensing electrodes RE disposed at theother end of the second display area DA2 and the third touch pad unitTP3 disposed at the other side of the display panel 100. The third touchpad unit TP3 may be connected to the second touch driver 240 through theflexible film 250.

The connection electrode CE may be bent at least once. For example, theconnection electrode CE may have an angled shape (“<” or “>”) in a planview, but the shape of the connection electrode CE is not limitedthereto. The sensing electrodes RE adjacent to each other in the seconddirection (Y-axis direction) may be connected by the plurality ofconnection electrodes CE, and may be stably connected through theresidual connection electrodes CE even when any one of the connectionelectrodes CE is disconnected. The sensing electrodes RE adjacent toeach other may be connected by two connection electrodes CE, but thenumber of connection electrodes CE is not limited thereto.

The connection electrode CE may be disposed in a different layer fromthe plurality of driving electrodes TE and the plurality of sensingelectrodes RE. The driving electrodes TE adjacent to each other in thefirst direction (X-axis direction) may be electrically connected througha connection portion disposed on the same layer as the plurality ofdriving electrodes TE or the plurality of sensing electrodes RE, and thesensing electrodes RE adjacent to each other in the second direction(Y-axis direction) may be electrically connected through the connectionelectrode CE disposed in a different layer from the plurality of drivingelectrodes TE or the plurality of sensing electrodes RE. Therefore, evenwhen the connecting portion of the plurality of driving electrodes TEand the connecting electrode CE overlap each other in the thirddirection (Z-axis direction), the plurality of driving electrodes TE maybe insulated from the plurality of sensing electrodes RE. Accordingly,mutual capacitance may be formed between the driving electrode TE andthe sensing electrode RE.

Each of the plurality of dummy patterns DME may be surrounded by thedriving electrode TE or the sensing electrode RE. Each of the pluralityof dummy patterns DME may be spaced apart from and insulated from thedriving electrode TE or the sensing electrode RE. Accordingly, the dummypattern DME may be electrically floated.

The first driving line TL1 may supply touch driving signals suppliedfrom the first touch driver 230 to the plurality of driving electrodesTE disposed on one side of the folding axis, and the second driving lineTL2 may supply touch driving signals supplied from the second touchdriver 240 to the plurality of driving electrodes TE disposed on theother side of the folding axis. Accordingly, among the plurality ofdriving electrodes TE, some driving electrodes TE may receive touchdriving signals from the first touch driver 230, and other drivingelectrodes TE may receive touch driving signals from the second touchdriver 240, thereby reducing the resistance-capacitance (RC) relay ofthe touch driving signal. Consequently, in the display device 10, theoccurrence of a difference between the touch driving signal applied tothe driving electrodes TE disposed at one side of the touch sensor areaTSA and the touch driving signal applied to the driving electrodes TEdisposed at the other side of the touch sensor area TSA may beprevented, thereby improving touch sensitivity.

Further, in the display device 10, the display layer DPL and the sensingelectrode layer SEL may be provided in the third display area DA3 thatis folded along the folding axis, so that the display layer DPL of thethird display area DA3 may display an image, and the sensing electrodelayer SEL of the third display area DA3 may detect a touch.

The display pad area DPA, the first touch pad area TPA1, and the secondtouch pad area TPA2 may be disposed at one side of the display panel100. The display pad area DPA, the first touch pad area TPA1, and thesecond touch pad area TPA2 may be disposed in the sub-area SBA. Thedisplay pad area DPA, the first touch pad area TPA1, and the secondtouch pad area TPA2 may be electrically connected to the circuit board210 through an anisotropic conductive film or a low-resistancehigh-reliability material such as a self assembly anisotropic conductivepaste (SAP).

The display pad area DPA may include a plurality of display pad unitsDP. The plurality of display pad units DP may be connected to the mainprocessor through the circuit board 210. The plurality of display padunits DP may be connected to the circuit board 210 to receive digitalvideo data and supply the digital video data to the display driver 220.

The first touch pad area TPA1 may be disposed at one side of the displaypad area DPA, and may include a plurality of first touch pad units TP1.The plurality of first touch pad units TP1 may be electrically connectedto the first touch driver 230 disposed on the circuit board 210. Thefirst touch driver 230 may detect a change in mutual capacitance betweenthe driving electrode TE and the sensing electrode RE through theplurality of first sensing lines RL1 connected to the plurality of firsttouch pad units TP1.

The second touch pad area TPA2 may be disposed at the other side of thedisplay pad area DPA, and may include a plurality of second touch padunits TP2. The plurality of second touch pad units TP2 may beelectrically connected to the first touch driver 230 disposed on thecircuit board 210. The plurality of second touch pad units TP2 maysupply touch driving signals to the driving electrodes TE disposed onone side of the folding axis through the plurality of first drivinglines TL1.

The third touch pad area TPA3 may include a plurality of third touch padunits TPA3. The plurality of third touch pad units TP3 may beelectrically connected to the second touch driver 240 disposed on theflexible film 250. The second touch driver 240 may detect a change inmutual capacitance between the driving electrode TE and the sensingelectrode RE through the plurality of second sensing lines RL2 connectedto the plurality of third touch pad units TP3.

The fourth touch pad area TPA4 may include a plurality of fourth touchpad units TP4. The plurality of fourth touch pad units TP4 may beelectrically connected to the second touch driver 240 disposed on theflexible film 250. The plurality of fourth touch pad units TP4 maysupply touch driving signals to the driving electrodes TE disposed onthe other side of the folding axis through the plurality of seconddriving lines TL2.

The plurality of driving electrodes TE may include first to fourthdriving electrodes DE1 to DE4. The first driving electrode TE1 maydisposed on one side of the folding axis and be closest to the foldingaxis, and the second driving electrode TE2 may be disposed at one sideof the first driving electrode TE1. The third driving electrode TE3 maydisposed on the other side of the folding axis and be closest to thefolding axis, and the fourth driving electrode TE4 may be disposed atthe other side of the third driving electrode TE3. The folding axis maybe disposed between the first and second driving electrodes TE1 and TE2and may extend in a direction substantially parallel to each of thefirst to fourth driving electrodes TE1 to TE4.

For example, the first distance d1 between the first driving electrodeTE1 and the third driving electrode TE3 may be substantially equal tothe second distance d2 between the first driving electrode TE1 and thesecond driving electrode TE2. The first distance d1 between the firstdriving electrode TE1 and the third driving electrode TE3 may besubstantially equal to the second distance d2 between the first drivingelectrode TE1 and the second driving electrode TE2. Therefore, even whenthe folding axis is disposed between the first and second drivingelectrodes TE1 and TE2, the first to fourth driving electrodes TE1 toTE4 may be arranged at substantially the same intervals.

The size of the sensing electrode RE disposed between the first drivingelectrode TE1 and the folding axis may be half of or less than the sizeof the sensing electrode RE disposed between the first and seconddriving electrodes TE1 and TE2. The size of the sensing electrode REdisposed between the third driving electrode TE3 and the folding axismay be half of or less than the size of the sensing electrode REdisposed between the third and fourth driving electrodes TE3 and TE4.For example, the sum of the size of the sensing electrode RE disposedbetween the first driving electrode TE1 and the folding axis and thesize of the sensing electrode RE disposed between the third drivingelectrode TE3 and the folding axis may be smaller than the size of thesensing electrode RE disposed between the first and second drivingelectrodes TE1 and TE2 by the sum (e.g., the first distance d1) of athickness of the folding axis and intervals between the folding axis andthe sensing electrodes RE. Accordingly, the plurality of sensingelectrodes RE may be arranged at substantially the same intervals,except for the sensing electrodes RE directly facing the folding axis.

The facing area of the plurality of sensing electrodes RE spaced apartfrom each other and adjacent to the folding axis interposed therebetweenface each other may be larger than the facing area of the plurality ofdriving electrodes TE spaced from each other and adjacent to the foldingaxis interposed therebetween face each other. Accordingly, the pluralityof sensing electrodes RE facing each other with the folding axisinterposed therebetween may have a shape that is formed through cuttingthe sensing electrode RE of the first display area DA1 or the seconddisplay area DA2 by the folding axis.

Accordingly, the display device 10 includes the connecting electrode CEconnecting the plurality of driving electrodes TE extending in the firstdirection (X-axis direction) and the plurality of sensing electrodes REadjacent in the second direction (Y-axis direction), thereby preventingthe electrical interference between the driving electrode TE disposed onone side of the folding axis and the sensing electrode RE disposed onthe other side of the folding axis and preventing the electricalinterference between the driving electrode TE disposed on the other sideof the folding axis and the sensing electrode RE disposed on one side ofthe folding axis.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of area A3 in FIG. 11, FIG. 13 is anenlarged view of area A4 in FIG. 11, and FIG. 14 is a plan view ofanother embodiment of the display layer and the sensing electrode layerof the display device of FIG. 1. Hereinafter, the same components asthose described above will be briefly described or omitted fordescriptive convenience.

Referring to FIGS. 12 to 14, the plurality of driving electrodes TE, theplurality of sensing electrodes RE, and the plurality of dummy patternsDME may be disposed on the same layer, and may be spaced apart from eachother. Accordingly, a plurality of gaps GAP may be formed between thedriving electrode TE and the sensing electrode RE, may be formed betweenthe driving electrode TE and the dummy pattern DME, and may be formedbetween the sensing electrode RE and the dummy pattern DME.

The plurality of driving electrodes TE may extend in the first direction(X-axis direction) and may be spaced apart from each other in the seconddirection (Y-axis direction). The plurality of driving electrodes TE maybe arranged in the first direction (X-axis direction) and the seconddirection (Y-axis direction), and the driving electrodes TE adjacent inthe first direction (X-axis direction) may be electrically connectedthrough the connection electrode CE. s For example, the connectionportion TCE of the driving electrodes TE may be disposed between thesensing electrodes RE adjacent to each other. For example, theconnection portion TCE of the driving electrodes TE may be disposed inan area where the sensing electrodes RE adjacent to each other have theshortest distance from each other.

The plurality of sensing electrodes RE may be arranged in the firstdirection (X-axis direction) and the second direction (Y-axisdirection). The plurality of sensing electrodes RE may be spaced apartfrom each other in the first direction (X-axis direction) and the seconddirection (Y-axis direction). The sensing electrodes RE adjacent in thesecond direction (Y-axis direction) may be electrically connectedthrough the connection electrode CE.

The connection electrode CE may be bent at least once. For example, theconnection electrode CE may have an angled shape (“<” or “>”) in a planview, but the shape of the connection electrode CE is not limitedthereto. The sensing electrodes RE adjacent to each other in the seconddirection (Y-axis direction) may be connected by the plurality ofconnection electrodes CE, and may be stably connected through theresidual connection electrodes CE even when any one of the connectionelectrodes CE is disconnected. The sensing electrodes RE adjacent toeach other may be connected by two connection electrodes CE, but thenumber of connection electrodes CE is not limited thereto.

The plurality of connection electrodes CE may be disposed in a differentlayer from the driving electrode TE and the sensing electrode RE. Theconnection electrode CE may include a first portion CEa and a secondportion CEb. For example, the second portion CEb of the connectionelectrode CE may be connected to the sensing electrode RE disposed atone side thereof through the second contact hole CNT2 and may extend inthe second diagonal direction DR2. The first portion CEa of theconnection electrode CE may be bent from the second portion CEb in anarea overlapping the driving electrode TE and may extend in the firstdiagonal direction DR1, and may be connected to the sensing electrode REdisposed at the other side thereof through the second contact hole CNT2.Accordingly, each of the plurality of connection electrodes CE mayconnect the sensing electrodes RE adjacent in the second direction(Y-axis direction).

For example, the plurality of driving electrodes TE, the plurality ofsensing electrodes RE, and the plurality of dummy patterns DME may beformed in a mesh structure or a network structure in a plan view.Therefore, the plurality of driving electrodes TE, the plurality ofsensing electrodes RE, and the plurality of dummy patterns DME may notoverlap first to third light emitting areas EA1 to EA3 of a pixel groupPG. The plurality of connection electrodes CE may also not overlap thefirst to third light emitting areas EA1 to EA3. Accordingly, the displaydevice 10 may prevent the luminance of light emitted from the first tothird light emitting areas EA1 to EA3 from being reduced by the sensingelectrode layer SEL.

Each of the driving electrodes TE may include a first portion TEaextending in the first diagonal direction DR1 and a second portion TEbextending in the second diagonal direction DR2. Each of the plurality ofsensing electrodes RE may include a first portion REa extending in thefirst diagonal direction DR1 and a second portion REb extending in thesecond diagonal direction DR2.

For example, the plurality of driving electrodes TE, the plurality ofsensing electrodes RE, and the plurality of dummy patterns DME may beformed in an entire surface structure, not in a mesh structure or anetwork structure, in a plan view. In this case, the plurality ofdriving electrodes TE, the plurality of sensing electrodes RE, and theplurality of dummy patterns DME may include a transparent conductivematerial having high light transmittance, such as ITO and IZO, and mayprevent the luminance of light emitted from the first to third lightemitting areas EA1 to EA3 from being reduced.

The plurality of pixels may include first to third sub-pixels, and eachof the first to third sub-pixels may include first to third lightemitting areas EA1 to EA3.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-If of FIG. 14.The display device of FIG. 16 is different from the display device ofFIG. 9 in the configuration of the sensing electrode layer SEL. The samecomponents as those described above will be briefly described or omittedfor descriptive convenience for descriptive convenience.

Referring to FIG. 15, the display device 10 may include a first basemember SUB1, a thin film transistor layer TFTL, a light emitting elementlayer EML, an encapsulation layer TFEL, and a sensing electrode layerSEL.

The sensing electrode layer SEL may be disposed on the encapsulationlayer TFEL. The sensing electrode layer SEL may include a third bufferlayer BF3, a connection electrode CE, a first insulating film SIL1 adriving electrode TE, a sensing electrode RE, and a second insulatingfilm SIL2.

The third buffer layer BF3 may be disposed on the encapsulation layerTFEL. The third buffer layer BF3 may have insulating and opticalfunctions.

The connection electrode CE may be disposed on the third buffer layerBF3. The connecting electrode CE is disposed in a different layer fromthe driving electrode TE and the sensing electrode RE to connect thesensing electrodes RE adjacent to each other in the second direction(Y-axis direction).

The first insulating film SIL1 may cover the connection electrode CE andthe third buffer layer BF3. The first insulating film SIL1 may haveinsulating and optical functions.

The driving electrode TE and the sensing electrode RE may be disposed onthe first insulating film SIL1. Each of the driving electrode TE and thesensing electrode RE may not overlap the first to third light emittingareas EA1 to EA3.

The second insulating film SIL2 may cover the driving electrode TE, thesensing electrode RE, and the first insulating film SIL1. The secondinsulating film SIL2 may have insulating and optical functions. Thesecond insulating film SIL2 may be made of the materials used in formingthe first insulating film SIL1.

According to a display device of embodiments, some driving electrodesdisposed at one side of a folding axis are driven by a first touchdriver, other driving electrodes disposed at the other side of thefolding axis are driven by a second touch driver, and metal lines areprovided between the some driving electrodes and the other drivingelectrodes, thereby preventing the electrical interference between theplurality of driving electrodes and the plurality of sensing electrodesarranged on both sides of the folding axis and improving the touchsensitivity of the plurality of sensing electrodes.

According to a display device of embodiments, among the plurality ofdriving electrodes extending in a direction substantially parallel tothe folding axis, some driving electrodes disposed at one side of thefolding axis are driven by a first touch driver, other drivingelectrodes disposed at the other side of the folding axis are driven bya second touch driver, and metal lines are provided between some drivingelectrodes and other driving electrodes, thereby preventing theelectrical interference between the plurality of driving electrodes andthe plurality of sensing electrodes arranged on both sides of thefolding axis and improving the touch sensitivity of the plurality ofsensing electrodes.

Although certain embodiments and implementations have been describedherein, other embodiments and modifications will be apparent from thisdescription. Accordingly, the inventive concepts are not limited to suchembodiments, but rather to the broader scope of the appended claims andvarious obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements as would beapparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device, comprising: a first base memberconfigured to be folded or unfolded along a folding axis and comprisinga display area including a first display area disposed on one side ofthe folding axis, a second display area disposed on another side of thefolding axis, and a third display area through which the folding axispasses; and a plurality of first sensing electrodes and a plurality ofsecond sensing electrodes disposed in each of the first display area,the second display area, and the third display area on the first basemember, wherein each of the plurality of first sensing electrodes andeach of the plurality of second sensing electrodes are spaced apart fromeach other based on the folding axis interposed therebetween.
 2. Thedisplay device of claim 1, wherein the first base member furthercomprises: a first pad unit disposed at one side of the first basemember and connected to each of the plurality of first sensingelectrodes and each of the plurality of second sensing electrodesarranged on one side of the folding axis; and a second pad unit disposedat another side of the first base member and connected to each of theplurality of first sensing electrodes and each of the plurality ofsecond sensing electrodes arranged on another side of the folding axis.3. The display device of claim 2, further comprising: a first touchdriver connected to the first pad unit to drive the plurality of firstsensing electrodes and the plurality of second sensing electrodesconnected to the first pad unit; and a second touch driver connected tothe second pad unit to drive the plurality of first sensing electrodesand the plurality of second sensing electrodes connected to the secondpad unit.
 4. The display device of claim 2, wherein the plurality offirst sensing electrodes are spaced apart from each other in a firstdirection and a second direction substantially perpendicular to thefirst direction, and the plurality of second sensing electrodes extendin the first direction and are spaced apart from each other in thesecond direction.
 5. The display device of claim 4, further comprising:a connection electrode disposed in a different layer from the pluralityof first sensing electrodes and the plurality of second sensingelectrodes and connecting the plurality of first sensing electrodesspaced apart from each other in the second direction.
 6. The displaydevice of claim 4, further comprising: a first driving line connectingthe plurality of first sensing electrodes disposed at one end of thedisplay area to the first pad unit; a second driving line connecting theplurality of first sensing electrodes disposed at another end of thedisplay area to the second pad unit; a first sensing line disposed atanother end adjacent to the one end of the display area and connectingthe plurality of second sensing electrodes disposed on the one side ofthe folding axis to the first pad unit; and a second sensing linedisposed at another end adjacent to the another end of the display areaand connecting the plurality of second sensing electrodes disposed onthe another side of the folding axis to the second pad unit.
 7. Thedisplay device of claim 6, wherein the third display area furtherincludes a metal line disposed between the plurality of first sensingelectrodes connected to the first driving line and the plurality offirst sensing electrodes connected to the second driving line.
 8. Thedisplay device of claim 7, wherein the metal line is grounded through aground pad unit adjacent to the first pad unit.
 9. The display device ofclaim 4, wherein a facing area of the plurality of first sensingelectrodes spaced apart from each other and adjacent to the folding axisinterposed therebetween is larger than a facing area of the plurality ofsecond sensing electrodes spaced apart from each other and adjacent tothe folding axis interposed therebetween.
 10. The display device ofclaim 4, wherein the plurality of second sensing electrodes comprises: asecond-first sensing electrode disposed on the one side of the foldingaxis and closest to the folding axis; a second-second sensing electrodedisposed at one side of the second-first sensing electrode; and asecond-third sensing electrode disposed on the another side of thefolding axis and closest to the folding axis, wherein a distance betweenthe second-first sensing electrode and the second-second sensingelectrode is substantially equal to a distance between the second-firstsensing electrode and the second-third sensing electrode.
 11. Thedisplay device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of first sensingelectrodes extend in a first direction and are spaced apart from eachother in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the firstdirection, and the plurality of second sensing electrodes are spacedapart from each other in the first direction and the second direction.12. The display device of claim 11, further comprising: a connectionelectrode disposed in a different layer from the plurality of firstsensing electrodes and the plurality of second sensing electrodes andconnecting the plurality of second sensing electrodes spaced apart fromeach other in the second direction.
 13. The display device of claim 11,further comprising: a first sensing line connecting the plurality ofsecond sensing electrodes disposed at one end of the display area to thefirst pad unit; a second sensing line connecting the plurality of secondsensing electrodes disposed at another end of the display area to thesecond pad unit; a first driving line disposed at another end adjacentto the one end of the display area and connecting the plurality of firstsensing electrodes disposed on the one side of the folding axis to thefirst pad unit; and a second driving line disposed at another endadjacent to the another end of the display area and connecting theplurality of first sensing electrodes disposed on the another side ofthe folding axis to the second pad unit.
 14. The display device of claim11, wherein a facing area of the plurality of second sensing electrodesspaced apart from each other and adjacent to the folding axis interposedtherebetween is larger than a facing area of the plurality of firstsensing electrodes spaced apart from each other and adjacent to thefolding axis interposed therebetween.
 15. The display device of claim11, wherein the plurality of first sensing electrodes comprises: a firstdriving electrode disposed on the one side of the folding axis andclosest to the folding axis; a second driving electrode disposed at oneside of the first driving electrode; and a third driving electrodedisposed on the another side of the folding axis and closest to thefolding axis, wherein a distance between the first driving electrode andthe second driving electrode is substantially equal to a distancebetween the first driving electrode and the third driving electrode. 16.The display device of claim 2, further comprising: a display layerincluding a plurality of pixels arranged in the display area on thefirst base member; and a sensing electrode layer including the pluralityof first sensing electrodes and the plurality of second sensingelectrodes on the display layer.
 17. The display device of claim 16,further comprising: a circuit board connected to the first pad unitdisposed at the one side of the first base member; a first touch driverdisposed on the circuit board and connected to the first pad unit; aflexible film connected to the second pad unit disposed at the anotherside of the first base member; and a second touch driver disposed on theflexible film and connected to the second pad unit.
 18. The displaydevice of claim 2, further comprising: a display layer including aplurality of pixels arranged in the display area on the first basemember; a second base member covering the display layer; an adhesivemember disposed at edges of the first base member and the second basemember to surround the display layer; and a sensing electrode layerincluding the plurality of first sensing electrodes and the plurality ofsecond sensing electrodes on the second base member.
 19. The displaydevice of claim 18, further comprising: a circuit board connected to thefirst pad unit disposed at the one side of the first base member; afirst touch driver disposed on the circuit board and connected to thefirst pad unit; a flexible film connected to the second pad unitdisposed at one side of the second base member; and a second touchdriver disposed on the flexible film and connected to the second padunit.
 20. The display device of claim 1, further comprising: a dummypattern surrounded by the plurality of first sensing electrodes or theplurality of second sensing electrodes and insulated from the pluralityof first sensing electrodes and the plurality of second sensingelectrodes.